done, the tax part. that could get scuttled by the other half, the spending part. john boehner could change his mind, but unless the house speaker does, and allows a vote on the deal still being worked out, america goes off the fiscal cliff. surrounding himself with middle- class americans, president obama had sounded off this afternoon. >> it appears that an agreement to prevent this new year's tax hike is within sight, but it is not done. >> sources say taxes would rise on income over $500,000, which the president sees as a big win for him. >> just last month, republicans in congress said they would never agree to raise tax rates on the wealthiest americans. obviously the agreement that is currently being done would raise those rates and raise them permanently. >> some democrats did not applaud.

agreedid the president's to raise rates on those making over $250,000, not four hundred thousand dollars. >> democrats won a two-year postponement, with costs covered by new tax hike. the president scoffed at republican demands for deeper spending cuts. >> shove spending cuts at us. >> so much for the gop. >> a bigger deal is, will a deal get done? >> whatever happens are does not happen before midnight, this partisan more on taxes and spending is sure to continue well into 2013. steve handelsman, wbal-tv 11 news.

>> as we wait for word of the deal, lawmakers in washington are under close scrutiny. that is because the alternative will impact almost every american. we are joined by nikole killion, who is live in washington to explain. >> some analysts say this is more of fiscal slope rather than a cliff, since the effects would be gradual, rather than a straight free fall. either way, it could be a long way down. >> higher taxes in 2013. >> 2013, taxes go up. >> several tax breaks expire and the tax policy center estimates the average household would face a tax hike of almost $3,500 in the new year. >> that means less money to buy groceries and pay the bills. >> consequence number two, delayed refunds. >> as many as 1 million taxpayers may get their money back late without a fix to the

alternative minimum tax. consequence number three, automatic spending cuts. about $110 billion has to be slashed from the budgets across the board. >> the secretary of defense says it will decimate our ability to defend this nation. >> consequence number four, jobless benefits end. that have been extended before, but without another extension, 2 million people could lose them. that brings us to consequence no. 5, the u.s. economy. as markets react, the cbo forecasts a slowdown in economic growth and a skyrocketing unemployment rate that could reach 9.1% by year's end. in other words, we head towards another recession. that prediction according to economist and head of the federal reserve, who are originally. the term of fiscal cliff to describe this doomsday scenario.

>> they with us as we continue to monitor the negotiations on air and on line. we'll have all the late breaking coverage that you need. we also have a special project economy section on the website that explains the situation in greater detail. just go to wbaltv.com. >> here in baltimore, people are gathering down the inner harbor for the area's largest new year's eve fireworks display. we are all over this new year's eve spectacular. a bird's-eye view of traffic into the inner harbor and the festivities from the air. sarah has more on all the excitement that is building. but there is a lot of excitement here downtown as we prepare to countdown to 2013. in just a couple of hours, it is going to be packed. officials say things will officially kick off at 9:00 tonight. there will get -- there will be

a band playing called "outbreak ." the orioles bird will be there beside the mayor. tonight there will be special fireworks to celebrate the orioles fantastic season this year. a spokeswoman says there is also something new this year as we count down to midnight. >> right at midnight, the fireworks will go off. there are two barges that will be docked in the inner harbor. on the small barge, we will have a countdown clock so you can see the numbers as we count down to midnight. >> organizers are encouraging people to plan ahead early. make sure you know how you will get down here and where you are going to park. a lot of people will late until the last minute to see what the weather might do tonight. for that, we send it back to

tony pan, standing by in the weather center. what can we expect for the last final hours of 2010? >> nothing that will slow down all the festivities. there is a 30% chance there could be a little sprinkle or snow flurry overnight tonight. again, not a problem. mostly cloudy skies for most of the night. at midnight it will be at the lower end of the 30's. maybe just a light jacket or something to wear in the wintertime. we will check the forecast and see what is on tap in the first couple of days in the new year. >> anne arundel county police are increasing patrols in glen burnie as they investigate that locations third homicide in that many years. it has been the scene of three deadly shooting since 2009. the latest happen last night. police are looking for a person

who shot someone last night. and a possible suspect in mind, described only as an african- american male in his 30's with a thin build. >> i don't have information on that. i can tell you the victim was found in the exterior parking lot. >> anyone with intermission is urged to contact the anne arundel county police department. harford county sheriff's deputies want you to keep an eye out for this man, considered armed and dangerous after allegedly shooting his own sister during a violent family argument. it happened just before midnight on saturday. police say 20-year-old keef burley part shot into the door and it shot his sister in the

lower back. she is expected to survive. he is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and 140 pounds. anyone who sees him is urged to call 911 immediately. >> we learn about recommendations about to be made by a state task force that better prevent guns from falling into the hands of the mentally ill. jayne miller is live in the newsroom with details. >> the task force has been working since august, quietly and with little attention, until the more rigid shooting a few weeks ago that left 26 children and adults dead at a connecticut school. the task force findings are sure to be controversial. the task force includes police, prosecutors, gun rights advocates and mental-health professionals. it is said to recommend steps to keep guns away from people with mental illness without unfairly

discriminating against anyone. among the recommendations, better training of police and school personnel to identify patterns of mental illness. develop ways of sharing information. the report will deal with the most controversial question, when and how to take guns away from someone deemed to be dangerous, and when to give guns back if someone has gone through mental health treatment. sure to raise the question, should those people ever get their weapons back? the recall is sure to play a role in new gun-control legislation promised by legislative leaders. the shooting earlier this month left 20 children and six adults debt in connecticut. there are reports that the mother may have been seeking mental-health treatment for her son, adam lanza. >> under current state law in maryland, a person must be considered mentally ill and

dangerous to be barred from buying a gun, or have spent 30 days in a mental health hospital. the task force has taken a look at california's law. it requires licensed psychotherapists to turn over the names of patients who threaten of talk -- talk of threatening someone with physical harm. >> still ahead, investigation is underway in carroll county after a man crashes his car into a hospital and dies. >> what police believe may have caused that fatal turn of events. >

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>> it is playoff time here in in baltimore, getting ready to welcome the colts. >> pete gilbert joins us in the studio with a look back, and a look ahead. >> somewhere between of treaties it -- preseason contest and

postseason. some would call it purgatory. joe flacco played again. ray rice only played one series. anthony allen played a bunch. defense played well against the bengals. dalton with some time, marvin jones with a nice move in for the score to tie things at seven apiece. very good running. rushing for 65 yards on a day. in a pinch, the defense can definitely get the jobs done. all eyes are on the colts as they come to m&t bank stadium on sunday. if you want to help, john harbaugh shares how.

>> moving on to our second home playoff opportunity here in the last few years. i want to talk to work out and make sure they are ready to roll on sunday. we need to have a huge home field advantage. our fans are very excited to be up there and be part of it. we cannot wait. >> more from john harbaugh coming up tonight at 6:00. the road to the super bowl began in baltimore, the journey for which fans cannot wait. rob roblin has more. >> once again, the ravens are in the playoffs. everybody in baltimore is seeing purple. superstore,s' buying a new shirt? >> probably more than a shirt. i came over to see all the

different things they had. i am sure i will walk out of here with more than just a shirt. >> i love the chemistry, i love the guys. will be great. >> for ravens fans, it is another year of getting into the playoffs. >> are going to go all the way this year? >> yes, i think they are, because they have lots of agility and everything. >> i really think they are going to make it. >> i think they can do it, if they pull things together. they need to get their defense up and get the pass rushing going a little bit. >> of course you have shirts just for sunday's game. this is one of my favorites, " the luck stops here." >> i think it will be okay. we are going to win.

>> they are a hometown team. they love their fans and the fans love them. >> good for business? >> yes, always. we are the only team to go five years straight now to the playoffs. it is just what people are waiting for. >> there is hoping we will be shopping for something like this, come february. >> it looks like the weather will be pretty good for the game next weekend. let's get through new year's first. you can see a battle of the air mass is going on, mild temperatures down in the ohio valley and some cold stuff trying to drop out of the southern part of canada. where they are mixing together,

we have a little storm going. will not cause a lot of trouble here as we go through new year's eve, but the storm is centered in missouri right now with the cold air right on top of it getting ready to mix in. the good news for us is that this will travel to the south instead of the north or east. even though there is some precipitation ahead of this, so for all we have had today was a little bit of cloud cover and that is probably all we will get for the most part as we go through the night tonight. it looks threatening, but i think you can get by without your umbrella if you are heading out this evening. the radar looks pretty impressive. the air is so dry, most of this is not hitting the ground. it is evaporating before it gets to the ground. there could be a few sprinkles or snow flurries tonight. only a 30% chance you will see that if you get out this evening. of north and near 40

down south. because of the cloud cover, it will not fall of all that much. it will not be that cold tonight compared to what it could be this time of year. low in the upper 20's and 30's in the northern suburbs. during the day tomorrow, the storm passes south of us and that what we were talking about is going to stall just south of baltimore. temperatures will be just a few degrees below average. with the storm passing to the south, i am putting a 40% chance of for a rain or snow shower tomorrow. the forecast for the rest of new year's eve, mostly cloudy with a 30% chance for a sprinkle or snow flurries. temperatures dropping back to the upper 20's or lower -- plouffe 30's. -- low 30's. of 40% chance for rain or snow

shower, not a big deal. in the mountains, some of the snow showers could cut the grass. the forecast going into the weekend stacked up like this. fairly quiet, a couple of chances for a little rain or snow but only a 30% chance on thursday and sunday. the ravens came on saturday is looking okay, a little chilly, but not that bad. >> still ahead, it is uncomfortable and it could be dangerous. >> it is a condition that is on the rise in the u.s. details on what it is an inouye form of treatment. >> 2012 was a busier, the state reduced say the least. >> take a look at the crowd gathering in new york's times square, getting ready for the

big new year's eve celebration.

>> one man is dead and an investigation is underway in carroll county tonight. it happened about 8:15 this morning along the 200 block of moral avenue. thomas skipper jr. suffered some type of medical emergency wall behind the wheel. he was rushed to the hospital's emergency room but was pronounced dead shortly after. we are told a hospital building did sustain some minor damage. >> we begin tonight medical alert with a big step in fighting tuberculosis. the fda says it has proposed a johnson and johnson drug that is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection and more than four decades. the bill will -- the pill was approved for use with older drugs to fight diseases like

this. there is an increasingly common form of the disease they cannot be treated with out at least two of the four antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis. roughly one-third of the world's population is estimated to be infected with the bacteria that causes the infection. gerd can put you at rest -- at risk for cancer of the esophagus and traditional treatments are not enough to manage the disease, and those cases surgery can help correct it. >> content, predominately acid, or reflexing into the stomach -- from the stomach into the esophagus.

>> dr. patrick hyatt is talking about castro esophageal reflux disease call or gerd, traded most commonly with antacids. >> you will always have a small number of patients who do not respond appropriately to acid reduction alone. >> this doctor says that for a small minority of patients, surgery may be the best option to correct their gerd. >> we essentially wrap part of the stomach around the esophagus. it keeps the acid from coming back up into the esophagus. >> the doctor says the procedure ically. laparoscop

>> you will be on soft died for several weeks after the surgery to avoid irritation of the area. there is some swelling that happened after the surgery, so it can be a little difficult to swallow in the first few days. >> the countdown is on as we head into the final hours of 2012. the excitement is building in baltimore and is slowly starting to get busy down at the inner harbor. ahead, captain roy taylor gives us an update on the roads and traffic conditions from skyteam 11. >> we will take a look back at some of the big stories thatw=!n

>> live, local, latebreaking. you are watching wbal-tv 11 news at 5:00 p.m. wbal-tv 11 news at 5:00 p.m. continues now. >> from a terrifying first day of school in baltimore county to the debilitating derecho storm in june, the pastor was a busy one for news headlines. the baltimore area had tragedy, excitement, and some major changes. >> kim dacey has a look back at some of the headlines and highlights. >> 2012 started off strong, with the ravens playoff push taking them all the way to the afc

championship game against the patriots, but they ended up one kick short of the super bowl. ravens fans were heartbroken. february brought the trial of george huguely, who was ultimately convicted of killing his victim, yeardley love, in 2010. in august, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison. it was a busy summer in the baltimore area after getting maryland live, that biggest casino in the state, opening its doors in july with people waiting in line for hours to get in. in mid-june, sailabration sailed into the inner harbor and fort mchenry. the weeklong celebration featured tall ships and a lot of family friendly events, including the blue angels. >> this is a wonderful time.

i am glad it is happening right here where i can get to a nice and close. >> an unexpected derecho storm rolled in the last weekend, causing widespread damage and power outages. some were left without power for more than a week. in july, the world watched the 2012 summer olympics in london. michael phelps became the most decorated olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals. a bizarre story out of aberdeen. cal ripken 74 of you-year-old mother was adapted from her garage at gunpoint. she was found still bound, unharmed, in her car the next morning. despite surveillance video of the suspect, police have still not identify him. commissioner fred bealefeld stepped down after 31 years on the force, five of them as commissioner. a former police chief from california was chosen to take over for him. in late august, a horrific train

derailment in ellicott city killed two teenagers as the redheaded to college. the first day of school in baltimore county turned into a day of violence when a 16-year- old student robert gladden fired a shotgun in the cafeteria. the shot hit daniel borowy, a student with down syndrome. daniel was released and robert gladden was arrested. art modell passed away in september. he was 87. it was an exciting call for orioles fans at the team made their first playoff run in 15 years, and they were so close to the american league championship when they fell to the yankees in the final game of their series. the last few days of october, superstorm sandy pounded the east coast.

ocean city was the hardest hit in our area. the 2012 election is one for the history books. president barack obama won a second term as president, and here in maryland, an historic day for same sex marriage. starting january 1, those couples can legally wedd. we go into 2013 much as we started 2012, hoping for a super bowl. >> the world did not end on december 21, so it looks like we all better get ready for a busy 2013. >> there is a lot going on tonight in the baltimore area as we get ready to ring in the new year. >> the region's largest fireworks display will kick off with the annual new year's eve spectacular. folks are starting to gather at the inner harbor for all the activities. captain roy taylor is over the

area right now. what you folks need to know before they try to get richer ibefore they try to head downtown? >> it is starting to build and is building rapidly. a lot of the cars coming in here appear to be headed to local restaurants. the have not begun to bring in the barges yet for were the fireworks will be set up, but there is a steady flow of traffic working its way off the 95 up 395. is starting to build now. my prediction is, the sooner you get here, the better spot you will have. story,ght's other big within the last nine minutes or so, congress has confirmed that it will not meet the midnight deadline to avoid the fiscal cliff. president barack obama and

senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said on monday that they are near a deal to avoid it wide-ranging tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect in the new year. house republicans notified lawmakers that the chamber will vote tonight, but they will be voting on other bills and they will be the only votes of the day. they say it is still not clear if the senate will be able to vote on any kind of deal. >> still ahead, new details emerging about former state delegate tiffany alston. the telestrating head. >> deal or no deal. the clock ticks down to the fiscal cliff deadline. a look at where things stand, coming up.

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>> former state delegate has yet to comment tonight about a report that she has declared bankruptcy. according to the paper, -- former state delegate tiffany alston. she pleaded no contest earlier this year to using campaign money to pay for her wedding expenses. >> doctors treating secretary of state hillary rodman clinton said a blood clot formed in her head. they are confident she will make a full recovery. doctors say the blood clot did not result in a stroke or do

lots of damage. a plot for located behind the right ear. doctors are treating her with blood thinners and say she will be released once a medication dose has been established. transportation officials say the road where this weekend's deadly tour brush crash happen is notoriously dangerous in bad weather. around 10:30 sunday morning, nine people were killed and others injured when a bus crashed regard real and plummeted down a steep embankment. survivors were trapped off the road in the freezing weather. the bus driver is among survivors but has not spoken to police due to the severity of his injuries. >> a person armed with high- powered rifle inside another building in connecticut. >> officials at the pins training school or recreating

the massacre just weeks after the unthinkable tragedy. >> the most admired man and one of 2012, and here is a hint, they are not reality tv stars. >> i think it's pretty quiet today with the weather. we will check the

>> late word that congress will not meet the midnight deadline. what this means for your finances. plus, better ways to prevent the mentally ill from getting their hands on guns. what we have learned about recommendations about to be made by

>> controversy brewing over a simulated school shooting that was organized just 30 miles from the school in connecticut. >> a lot of people are questioning the timing and necessity of it at all. >> since the newtown, connecticut shooting, many have been questioning what can be done to better protect children are prevent another mass shooting like the one we saw two weeks ago. >> the swat team could be 20 or 40 minutes away.

>> people should be able to protect themselves when they are in danger. >> we should be saved and feel safe. >> others are uncomfortable with the ideas of guns or other violent weapons in schools. >> it is very scary that it has come to this point. >> some question whether the simulation is an accurate representation of what could happen if you are armed in a shooting. >> i think in real life, you don't know what will happen. >>. was also to get a scientific analysis of the situation for

homeland security to study. the simulators armed with a gun that was modeled after the one used in the sandy hook shooting. >> now, your forecast with meteorologist tony pann. >> no precipitation out there, just a couple of sprinkles in the mountains. one degree below average for this time of year. the high was 41 this afternoon, the low 27. the average is 42. the record for today, 72, set back in 19921 below zero is an old record set back in 1880. we are watching a couple of things that will affect the weather as we go into the new year. a cold front coming across the upper midwest with some really cold air behind it. an area of low pressure out ahead of that, coming across the ohio valley right now. this will move south of us.

it was cloudy today. i thought we would get a little more sunshine than we did. the precipitation held off, so not a bad day. that is basically what we expect as we head into this new year's eve as well. a lot of cloud cover, but little in the way of precipitation. >> if you put up the radar, it looks a little threatening. it looks impressive, but the error is very dry here in the mid atlantic region. a lot of it is not making it down to the surface. the dewpoints are in the upper teens and low 20's. that is why the air is so dry right now. near 40 south of town. 44 -- 35 in parton.

it will stay in the mid-30's downtown if you are headed to the inner harbor for all the festivities. tomorrow that storm passes out of us and stalls. with all the activity in the vicinity, we will put in a 40% chance for a rain or snow shattereshower. the forecast stacked up like this for this new year's eve, 2012. a chance for sprinkles or flurries, temperatures back in the upper 20's and low 30's. winds will be like. during the day tomorrow, variable clouds and a 40% chance for rain or snow shower. the best chance will be in the afternoon and evening. the high temperatures will be in the upper 30's and low 40's. it stays fairly quiet going into

the weekend. a couple of chances for precipitation thursday and sunday, but even in it is only 30%. if you are going to the ravens game on sunday, a 30% chance for a little rain or snow, with a high near 41. >> breaking news from skyteam 11. cooks lane down at this hour because of a bad accident. from what we understand, to evict -- there are two vehicles involved in a severe accident at this location. we do not know the severity of the injuries but cooks lane has been shut down in other directions. fire crews are trying to extricate a victim in this rescue.

as we get more information, we will update you. i am captain roy taylor. >> the countdown is on to 2013. that means it is your last chance to fall for the state's homestead tax credit. it limits how much your property tax and increased each year. only applies to principal residences, but there are a number of ways to file at the last minute. you can mail it in, but it must be postmarked by today. you can also do it online. the state department of assessments and taxation website has a link rick can file it electronically. we have all that information for you on our website, wbaltv.com. good news for all of your milk lovers out there. key lawmakers in both parties are in agreement about preventing milk prices from dublin next month.

they have agreed to a longer expansion of the 2008 farm bill that expired in october. while an agreement has been reached in principle, there is no word on when the house will put the bill on the floor. 2013 will bring hirings and firings. more than a quarter of employers surveyed said they plan to add full-time, permanent positions in the new year, an increase over 2012. but so is the level of employers who anticipate cutting jobs. sales and information technology are the top two positions that can expect a bump up in pay. many americans are still struggling to find work. analysts say the stagnant economy is affecting people of all demographics and all school levels.

experts are calling the job seekers a new type of poverty. a veteran nurse has also worked years in marketing. >> i am more than is qualified -- i am more qualified as an emergency room nurse but i am told that i am not qualified to work as a nursing home nurse. >> people in similar situations are coming up with social networking strategies to try to come together. one example, operation boomerang which works to link corporate sponsors with other midlife job-seekers. can find more information on our website kamakura wbaltv.com -- on our website, wbaltv.com. aaa says new year's eve is the deadliest day to be on the roads.

is tops foray pedestrian deaths. please be careful out there tonight. >> gallup has released its annual poll of the most admires men and women on the planet. secretary of state hillary rodham clinton is the most admired woman, and for the fifth year in a row, president barack obama is the most admired man. following hillary clinton, firstly michelle obama, over winfrey, and condoleezza rice. >> on the inside, george w. bush, nelson mandela, and the pope. bill clinton has talked the most admired list 17 times -- elrich clinton has talked the most admired list 17 times over the

years -- hillary clinton. now that we will technically over the fiscal cliff, what is the immediate impact, or is there still room for compromise? we are just hours away from 2013. a live look at times square in manhattan, where an estimated million people are making new friends, more -- whether they like it or not. it is one of the biggest parti

>> in just about six hours, all

eyes will be on the plot. >> this is a look at times square as people packed into welcome 2013. >> people are already gathering in times square in new york. >> about a million people will be there in times square to watch it all and make the celebration part of their start to 2013. jay gray has the latest on all the preparations. >> 3-2-1, happy new year! >> the crystal ball has been hoisted into place. times square has waited 364 days for this, while some of the hundreds of thousands have waited a lifetime. texted of magic.

-- >>, it is magic. >> an army of new york city police officers want to make sure it is the safest. >> we have helicopters in the air, we have observation posts, we have officers on scooters. >> it is a major commitment on the part of the department's. for 40 years, dick clark was the master of ceremonies here, sharing a new year's from times square with the world. the icon is gone now, but will be honored tonight with a special panel on the waterford crystal ball that drops at midnight. >> it is really amazing.

>> part of what promises to be an amazing start to 2013. jay gray, wbal-tv 11 news. >> it will be one heck of a party. here is a look at what is coming at new at 6:00. >> deal or no deal? and sally kidd in washington. the clock ticks down to the fiscal cliff deadline. a look at where things stand, coming up. >> a task force recommends taking away guns in certain cases involving mental-health. details next. >> we are live at the inner harbor, where preparations are underway to bring in the new year. i will have that story, coming up. >> you are watching wbal-tv 11. live, local, late breaking. this is 11 news at 6:00 p.m. >> dropping the ball. maybe new year's eve, but